HB2 prompts Vermont to cancel women's basketball game against UNC

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The University of Vermont women’s basketball team canceled its game against UNC because of North Carolina’s House Bill 2, Vermont Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman announced Wednesday.

The game was scheduled for December 28.

HB2, which was signed in March, has drawn national criticism from LGBTQ advocates.

“We strive very hard to create an inclusive climate for our students and staff in which they all can feel safe, respected and valued,” Schulman said in a statement. “It would be hard to fulfill these obligations while competing in a state with this law, which is contrary to our values as an athletic department and university.

“This decision was made in consultation with our coaches, the women’s basketball team and key university officials. We fully understand and sympathize with the impact that this decision may have on the North Carolina women’s basketball schedule. However, we believe this decision is consistent with our values and the conversations with our coaches and student team members. These were the most important considerations.”

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The North Carolina women’s basketball team has not released a statement in reaction to Vermont’s decision, but an official said the team is working to schedule a game to replace the Catamounts.

“This is just one more example of why this situation is a problem,” Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., said of the cancellation in a statement.

Burr’s staff declined requests by email and phone to clarify the comment.

The women’s basketball contest was the second UNC game to be canceled over HB2 objections. In June, the State University of New York-Albany field hockey team canceled a scheduled game at UNC to comply with the state of New York’s ban on state-sponsored, non-essential travel to the state of North Carolina. The Great Danes also canceled upcoming field hockey and men’s basketball games against Duke University.

The NBA moved the 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte over HB2.

Performers including Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Cirque du Soleil have canceled their North Carolina shows in protest of the controversial law. Mumford and Sons said it would use the proceeds from its North Carolina concerts to create a new fund supporting “love and justice.” The first donation from the fund supported a local LGBT organization, the band said.

The effects of HB2 have been felt throughout the local economy, costing the Chapel Hill and Carrboro community an estimated $1.2 million.

When asked for a comment on the Vermont game, the staff of Rep. David Price, D-N.C., referenced previous statements where Price opposed the law. On April 21, Price and two other members of Congress from North Carolina signed a letter to Gov. Pat McCrory calling for the law’s repeal.

“This law codifies discrimination,” the letter said.

The United States Department of Justice has told McCrory the law violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

McCrory and Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., did not respond to email and phone requests for comment.